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Building committee seeks independent project manager for Brooklyn School District HVAC overhaul
Summary
At a Jan. 13 meeting, the Brooklyn School District Building Committee reviewed an HVAC decision outline, discussed hiring an independent project manager separate from the design engineer to avoid conflicts of interest, and set follow-up steps ahead of a Jan. 29 town informational meeting.
Chair Bob Smanik opened the Brooklyn School District Building Committee meeting on Jan. 13 by describing the background and scope of a proposed HVAC overhaul and listing five drivers for immediate action: state-mandated ventilation requirements; non-functioning exhaust equipment; HVAC systems at or beyond useful life; security concerns tied to window ventilation; and inadequate dehumidification.
Smanik said the engineering firm Russell & Dawson, Inc. completed an initial phase of work — air-quality assessments, equipment-condition evaluations, plans and preliminary cost estimates — and that their contracted work has concluded for this phase. The committee reviewed a draft "HVAC decision outline" as a guiding document for the next steps, including preparing bid documents, possibly re-engaging architectural and engineering services, seeking legal review, and arranging construction oversight.
Committee members emphasized procurement safeguards. Committee member Jason Burgess urged that the project manager and the engineer of record be separate entities to avoid conflicts of interest, and he recommended a full specification book and bid documents that clearly define scope, insurance requirements, timelines and restrictions for work performed while school is in session.
Dr. Melissa Perkins-Banas asked how the district will fund additional professional services such as an independent project manager and legal review. The committee discussed whether those costs could be eligible for reimbursement under the state non-priority construction grant and how to incorporate professional fees into the overall project budget; the minutes record the question but do not specify a determination.
The committee set the next meetings for the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. (Feb. 2, Mar. 2, Apr. 6 and May 4, 2026) and agreed the Jan. 29 Town informational meeting will be strictly informational: the presentation will introduce state requirements, current HVAC conditions in school buildings, estimated project costs, potential grant funding and anticipated timelines.
Committee members assigned specific follow-up tasks: continue refining the HVAC decision outline; prepare a summary slide for the Jan. 29 meeting; contact Russell & Dawson about next-phase services and the status of specifications; and confirm with the State whether project-management and legal costs are eligible for grant reimbursement.
Procedural votes recorded in the minutes include approval of the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting minutes (motion by Lou Brodeur; second by Matt Allen; Jason Burgess abstained; the minutes state the motion passed but do not list a vote tally) and a motion to adjourn (moved by Matt Allen; seconded by Dr. Melissa Perkins-Banas; meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.).
The committee's next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2026; the Jan. 29 town informational meeting will present the HVAC overview to the public.
